Power supply system and method of managing the same

ABSTRACT

A power supply system for a data center includes a cooling circuit, an electrochemical power generator, a sensor, and a processor. The cooling circuit includes a fluid configured to receive heat energy generated by a server located in the data center. The electrochemical power generator is configured to receive and/or generate the fluid of the cooling circuit and to generate electrical energy for the server using the fluid. The sensor is configured to obtain data regarding the server. The processor is configured to control an amount of heat energy transferred from the server to the fluid based on the data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/555,799, filed Nov. 28, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,655,285), theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Electrochemical power generators, such as fuel cells and flow batteries(e.g., vanadium redox flow batteries, etc.), can be used to generateelectrical energy to power various devices and systems. For example, insome applications, electrochemical power generators can be used togenerate electrical energy to power data servers in a data center. Dataservers generate large amounts of heat and typically require anauxiliary cooling system, such as fans, heat exchangers, or othersimilar cooling devices to maintain a normal operating temperature.Generally speaking, auxiliary cooling systems use a working fluid (e.g.,water, coolant, etc.) that is separate and distinct from the fluid(s)used in the electrochemical power generators (e.g., reactants, fuels,oxidants, etc.).

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a power supply system for a data centerincluding a cooling circuit, an electrochemical power generator, asensor, and a processor. The cooling circuit includes a fluid and isconfigured to receive at least a portion of heat energy generated by aserver located in the data center. The electrochemical power generatoris configured to receive and/or generate the fluid of the coolingcircuit and to generate electrical energy for the server using thefluid. The sensor is configured to obtain data regarding the server. Theprocessor is configured to control an amount of heat energy transferredfrom the server to the fluid based on the data.

Another embodiment relates to a power supply system for a data centerincluding a cooling circuit and an electrochemical power generator. Thecooling circuit is configured to exchange heat energy between a serverlocated in the data center and a fluid being circulated in the coolingcircuit such that at least a portion of the heat energy released by theserver is absorbed by the fluid. The electrochemical power generator isconfigured to receive the fluid from the cooling circuit and to generatepower for the server using the fluid.

Yet another embodiment relates to a power supply system for a datacenter including an electrochemical power generator and a coolingcircuit. The electrochemical power generator is configured to generate afluid by-product and to generate electrical energy for the server. Thecooling circuit is configured to receive the fluid by-product from theelectrochemical power generator, to circulate the fluid by-productwithin the cooling circuit, and to exchange heat energy between a serverlocated in the data center and the fluid by-product such that at least aportion of the heat energy released by the server is absorbed by thefluid by-product.

Yet another embodiment relates to a control system for a data centerincluding a cooling circuit, an electrochemical power generator, and aprocessor. The cooling circuit includes a fluid and is configured toreceive at least a portion of heat energy generated by a server locatedin the data center. The electrochemical power generator is configured toreceive and/or generate the fluid of the cooling circuit and to generatepower for the server. The processor is configured to: receive powerdemand data regarding a power demand of the server; control an amount ofpower generated by the electrochemical power generator based on thepower demand data; and control an amount of heat energy transferred tothe fluid from the server based on the power demand data.

Yet another embodiment relates to a method of managing a power supplysystem for a data center. The method includes circulating a fluid in acooling circuit; obtaining data regarding a server located in the datacenter using a sensor; controlling the transfer of heat energy from theserver to the fluid based on the data; coupling the fluid to anelectrochemical power generator; and generating power for the serverusing the fluid in the electrochemical power generator.

Yet another embodiment relates to a method of managing a power supplysystem for a data center. The method includes circulating a fluid in acooling circuit; exchanging heat energy between a server located in thedata center and the fluid in the cooling circuit; transferring the fluidto an electrochemical power generator; and generating power for theserver using the fluid in the electrochemical power generator.

Yet another embodiment relates to a method of managing a power supplysystem for a data center. The method includes circulating a fluid in acooling circuit to exchange heat energy between a server located in thedata center and the fluid; coupling the fluid to an electrochemicalpower generator; generating power for the server using the fluid in theelectrochemical power generator; receiving data regarding a power demandof the server; controlling an amount of power generated by theelectrochemical power generator based on the power demand data; andcontrolling an amount of heat energy transferred between the server andthe fluid based on the power demand data.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments,and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and featureswill become apparent by reference to the drawings and the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a power supply system, accordingto one embodiment;

FIGS. 2-4 are schematic illustrations of portions of various powersupply systems, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a control system for a powersupply system, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for managing a power supply system,according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 7-15 illustrate various flow diagrams for managing a power supplysystem, according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here.

A problem with traditional electrochemical power generators (e.g., fuelcells, flow batteries, etc.) as a power source for data servers is thatthey generally use gases (e.g., methane, hydrogen, etc.) and operate athigh temperatures. One reason for this is to achieve a largeelectrochemical potential in the power generator, which can result in anoperating condition where water would be electrolyzed if it werepresent. Therefore, most electrochemical power generators do not useliquid reactants in water-based power solutions.

However, in the context of data servers, the native voltage requirementsfor the electrical circuits are low (e.g., 0.8 to 1.5 volts).Accordingly, liquid reactants having low electrochemical potentials(i.e., low temperature aqueous reactants) may be used as a working fluidin the electrochemical power generator to provide electrical energy topower the data servers. The liquid reactants can also be used as a heatexchange fluid to absorb heat energy from the data server electronics.In other embodiments, liquid by-products resulting from anelectrochemical reaction in the electrochemical power generator can beused as a heat exchange fluid to absorb heat energy from the dataserver.

Referring generally to the Figures, disclosed herein are power supplysystems and methods for managing power supply systems using a workingfluid (e.g., a low temperature aqueous reactant) both to absorb heatenergy from a load (e.g., a data center, a server, etc.) and to generateelectrical energy (i.e., serving as a reactant or a by-product) in anelectrochemical power generator (e.g., a fuel cell, a flow battery,etc.) to provide power to a server in a data center. In one embodiment,the amount of heat energy generated by the data server and absorbed bythe working fluid is controlled based on data regarding the server(e.g., temperature data, power demand data, power delivery rate data,usage data, etc.). In another embodiment, the amount of power (i.e.,electrical energy) generated by the electrochemical power generator iscontrolled based on data regarding the data server (e.g., power demanddata, power delivery rate data, etc.).

In the various embodiments disclosed herein, the power supply systemincludes a centralized storage tank (i.e., reservoir, vessel, container,etc.) configured to store the working fluid (i.e., reactants orby-products) for use by a plurality of electrochemical power generatorslocated at one or more data servers within the data center. Thereactants can be communicated from the storage tank to the local powergenerators using a pump and a conduit (e.g., small-diameter tubing,piping, etc.). The by-products from the electrochemical reaction in theelectrochemical power generator can be delivered to a storage tank,and/or regenerated into reactants using electrical energy from a powersource. For example, an external power source (e.g., electricity from anexternal power grid) can be imported to the data center and be used toregenerate liquid by-products into reactants which can then be stored ina storage tank. At a future time, as a data server requires electricalpower, the stored reactants can be delivered to an electrochemical powergenerator near the server, supplying it with electricity. Reactionby-products from the electrochemical power generator can be transportedto a storage tank, either for disposal, or for future regeneration intoreactants when external power is available for regeneration.

The above described process allows delivery of external power to be timeshifted from the use of the power to run a server; for instance, byallowing electricity to be bought at night (e.g., for a relatively lowprice because demand is lower than during the day) and used throughoutthe day. This process also can allow internal transport of power withinthe data center to be performed indirectly using fluid transport ratherthan directly using electricity. If power needs to be delivered to thedata servers at a low voltage (e.g., a voltage matching the data servercircuitry), delivery as electrochemical reactants can be advantageouscompared to delivery of low voltage, high current electricity. In thisway, the power supply system can operate in a closed loop with the fluid(i.e., liquid reactants, liquid by-products, etc.) operating as both aheat exchange fluid and a fuel for the electrochemical power generator.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic illustration of power supply system 100is shown according to one embodiment. Power supply system 100 is shownoperatively coupled to data servers 140, which form part of a datacenter. In various embodiments, the data center includes a plurality ofdata servers 140 located therein. In other embodiments, the data centerincludes only one data server 140. As shown in FIG. 1, power supplysystem 100 includes electrochemical power generators 110 eachoperatively coupled (i.e., connected, etc.) to data servers 140 toprovide electrical energy for powering each data server 140. In theembodiment shown, electrochemical power generators 110 are local to dataservers 140 (i.e., located in close proximity to data centers 140). Forexample, electrochemical power generators 110 may be located at dataservers 140, at a rack for data servers 140, in a structure housing dataservers 140, or at the electronic chip level of data servers 140. Invarious embodiments, electrochemical power generators 110 may be a fuelcell, a flow battery (e.g., a vanadium redox flow battery, aniron-chromium flow battery, a zinc-iron flow battery, a quinine-basedorganic flow battery, etc.), or other similar type of electrochemicaldevice configured to generate electrical energy using a reactant (e.g.,a fuel, an oxidant, etc.) having a low electrochemical potential. Insome embodiments, a flow battery may comprise reactants the same as orsimilar to those discussed in “Reduction Potentials of One-ElectronCouples Involving Free Radicals in Aqueous Solutions”, authored by PeterWardman, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, Vol. 18, page 1637 (1989).

Power supply system 100 includes conduit 120 defining a flow pathconfigured to receive/circulate a fluid therein (i.e., a reactant, anaqueous liquid reactant, a fuel, an oxidant, etc.). Conduit 120 isconnected at one end to tank 160 (i.e., storage tank, reservoir, vessel,container, etc.). Tank 160 is configured to hold/retain a volume ofworking fluid (i.e., liquid reactant, fuel, etc.) for use in powersupply system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, conduit 120 fluidly couples tank160 to electrochemical power generator 110. In various embodiments,conduit 120 may be a tube, a pipe, or other similar conduit suitable forcommunicating fluid in power supply system 100. In various embodiments,the fluid is circulated throughout power supply system 100 using pump133 or other similar device suitable for transferring fluid.

As shown in FIG. 1, power supply system 100 includes tank 150 disposedalong conduit 120. Tank 150 is configured to receive a by-product fluidresulting from an electrochemical reaction in the electrochemical powergenerators 110. In the embodiment shown, tank 150 is operativelyconnected to control system 170 and to electrical grid 180. Tank 150,control system 170, and electrical grid 180 collectively define aregeneration system configured to regenerate the by-product fluidreceived at tank 150 into a liquid reactant for re-use in power supplysystem 100. For example, tank 150 including a volume of by-product fluidis configured to receive electrical energy from electrical grid 180. Theelectrical energy can be used in conjunction with control system 170 toregenerate the by-product fluid into a useable liquid reactant (e.g., afuel, an aqueous liquid reactant, an oxidant, etc.). The regeneratedreactant can be transferred from tank 150 to tank 160 for storage andreuse in power supply system 100.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, power supply system 100 furtherincludes cooling circuits 130 disposed between tank 160 andelectrochemical power generator 110. As shown, cooling circuits 130 arelocally positioned at each data server 140. Cooling circuits 130 are inthermal communication with each data server 140. In this manner, heatenergy can be transferred from data servers 140 to fluid beingcirculated in cooling circuit 130. In one embodiment, cooling circuits130 are configured to circulate fluid received from tank 160 via conduit120. The fluid is circulated past data servers 140 to absorb heat energydischarged by data servers 140 when data servers 140 are operating. Theheat energy is absorbed by the fluid flowing/circulating in coolingcircuits 130. The fluid having the absorbed heat energy is transferredback to conduit 120 for use in electrochemical power generator 110 togenerate electrical energy for powering data servers 140. Thisconfiguration is advantageous because the heat energy absorbed from dataservers 140 not only helps to reduce the operating temperature of dataservers 140, but also acts as a pre-heating step for the fluid beforebeing reacted in electrochemical power generators 110. The pre-heatingstep helps facilitate a chemical reaction in electrochemical powergenerators 110 to produce electrical energy for data servers 140.

In another, unillustrated, embodiment, one or more fluid by-productsbeing transported from electrochemical power generator 110 (e.g., tostorage tank 150) are circulated past data servers 140 to absorb heatenergy discharged by data servers 140 when data servers 140 areoperating. In some embodiments, one or more reactants and/or by-productsare contained and transported within a carrier fluid (e.g., water,etc.). In such embodiments, heat energy discharged by data servers 140can also be received by the carrier fluid in addition to the reactantsor by-products carried within the carrier fluid. In some embodiments,both reactants and by-products are circulated past data servers 140 toabsorb heat energy discharged by data servers 140. Since the reactantsand by-products are generally at different temperatures, the amount ofeach fluid circulated past data servers 140 can be controlled so as tovary the fluid temperature to which data servers 140 transfer heat,thereby controlling the amount of heat energy removed from data servers140.

Power supply system 100 further includes sensors 175 each coupled todata servers 140. In one embodiment, sensors 175 are coupled directly todata servers 140. In other embodiments, sensors 175 may be coupled to adata server rack for holding/retaining data servers 140 or to anotherportion (or structure) of the data center. Sensors 175 are configured toobtain data regarding data servers 140. In various embodiments, sensors175 may be a thermistor, an infrared sensor, or other similar type ofelectronic sensor suitable for obtaining data from data servers 140 oran area surrounding data servers 140.

In one embodiment, sensors 175 are configured to obtain data regarding atemperature of data servers 140. In one embodiment, the temperature datais indicative of an operating temperature of data servers 140. Inanother embodiment, the temperature data is an ambient temperaturesurrounding data servers 140 within the data center. In anotherembodiment, the temperature data is a temperature of heat transfer fluidleaving data servers 140. In another embodiment, the temperature data isa temperature rise (i.e., a temperature change) of heat transfer fluidreceiving heat energy from data servers 140. In another embodiment,sensors 175 are configured to obtain data regarding a power demand fordata servers 140. In another embodiment, sensors 175 are configured toobtain data regarding a usage level (e.g., computational work load,etc.) for data servers 140. In another embodiment, sensors 175 areconfigured to obtain data regarding a power delivery rate fromelectrochemical power generators 110. In other embodiments, sensors 175are configured to obtain a combination of the above data regarding dataservers 140.

Power supply system 100 further includes control system 170 configuredto receive the data obtained by sensors 175. Control system 170 is alsoconfigured to control an amount of heat energy generated by servers 140and transferred to the fluid based on the sensor data (e.g., through aprocessor discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 5). Forexample, in one embodiment, the data obtained by sensors 175 isindicative of an operating temperature of data servers 140. Based on thetemperature data, control system 170 and, in particular, a processor(such as central processing unit 171 shown in FIG. 5), is configured toincrease an amount of heat energy transferred from data servers 140 tofluid circulating in cooling circuit 130 if the temperature of dataservers 140 exceeds a threshold value stored in control system 170(e.g., a pre-set or programmable value). Alternatively, the processor isconfigured to decrease an amount of heat energy transferred from dataservers 140 to fluid circulating in cooling circuit 130 if thetemperature of data servers 140 is below a threshold value (e.g., athreshold temperature value). In this manner, control system 170 isadapted to maintain a target operating temperature of data servers 140,thereby improving operation and performance of data servers 140.

In another embodiment, the data obtained by sensors 175 is a powerdemand of data servers 140, or a related metric such as a usagelevel/amount of data servers 140. For example, if control system 170determines that there is an increase in power demand by servers 140(e.g., due to an increase in use of data servers 140), control system170 is configured to increase an amount of heat energy transferred fromdata servers 140 to fluid circulating in cooling circuit 130. Similarly,if control system 170 determines that there is a decrease in powerdemand by servers 140, control system 170 is configured to decrease anamount of heat energy transferred from data servers 140 to fluidcirculating in cooling circuit 130. In this manner, control system 170can anticipate and adapt power supply system 100 to changes in thecooling/temperature requirements of data servers 140 based on an amountof power demanded by data servers 140.

In another embodiment, the power demand data obtained from data servers140 is used to control an amount of power generated by electrochemicalpower generators 110. For example, if control system 170 determines thatthere is an increase in power demand by servers 140 (e.g., due to anincrease in use of data servers), control system 170 is configured toincrease an amount of fluid received by electrochemical power generators110 to increase an amount of electrical energy generated byelectrochemical power generators 110. Similarly, if control system 170determines that there is a decrease in power demand by servers 140,control system 170 is configured to decrease an amount of fluid receivedby electrochemical power generators 110 to decrease an amount ofelectrical energy generated by electrochemical power generators 110.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, various systems for controlling/managing theamount of heat energy transferred from data servers 140 are shown. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 2, power supply system 100 includes heattransfer device 135 disposed along conduit 120. In one embodiment, heattransfer device 135 is a heat exchanger. In various embodiments, heattransfer device 135 may be an air-to-liquid heat exchanger, aliquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, a heat pipe, or other similar type ofheat transfer device suitable for exchanging heat energy between dataservers 140 and cooling circuit 130. In one embodiment, cooling circuit130 is configured to circulate a secondary fluid (i.e., a second fluid,an intermediate fluid, etc.) past data servers 140. The secondary fluidis configured to absorb/receive at least a portion of the heat energygenerated by data servers 140. Heat transfer device 135 is configured toexchange heat energy between the secondary fluid circulating in coolingcircuit 130 and the fluid (i.e., a first fluid) flowing within conduit120 toward electrochemical power generator 110.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, data regarding data server 140 isobtained by sensor 175 and sent to control system 170. In oneembodiment, control system 170 is configured to control the amount ofheat energy transferred to the fluid flowing along conduit 120 byadjusting an area of contact between the fluid and the heat exchanger.For example, if control system 170 determines that there is an increasein temperature (or power demand) based on data received from sensors175, control system 170 can increase the area of contact between thefluid and the heat exchanger (e.g., by sending a control signal to movethe heat exchanger toward the fluid circulating along conduit 120). Inone embodiment, the control signal can be an alert (e.g., an audiblesignal, a visual signal, etc.) to a user to manually adjust/move theheat exchanger and/or conduit 120. In another embodiment, power supplysystem 100 can include a motor configured to receive the control signaland to automatically adjust/move the heat exchanger and/or conduit 120.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 2, control system 170 can adjust aflow rate of the secondary fluid circulating along cooling circuit 130based on the data obtained by sensor 175. For example, if control system170 determines that there is an increase in temperature (or powerdemand) based on data received from sensors 175, control system 170 canincrease the flow rate of the secondary fluid circulating along coolingcircuit 130 to increase the amount of heat energy exchanged between dataserver 140 and the secondary fluid. The flow rate of the secondary fluidcan be adjusted by sending a control signal from control system 170 topump 133 disposed along cooling circuit 130.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 3, power supply system 100 includesvalve 136 disposed between conduit 120 and cooling circuit 130. Valve136 is configured to control a flow of fluid from conduit 120 to coolingcircuit 130. In the embodiment shown, cooling circuit 130 is in contactwith data server 140 such that heat energy from data server 140 isabsorbed by fluid circulating along cooling circuit 130. In oneembodiment, cooling circuit 130 includes a pipe (i.e., a conduit, atube, etc.) configured to exchange heat energy directly with data server140 using conduction.

In one embodiment, control system 170 is configured to control operationof valve 136 to control the amount of heat energy transferred from dataserver 140 based on data obtained by sensor 175. For example, if controlsystem 170 determines that there is an increase in temperature (or powerdemand) based on data received from sensor 175, control system 170 canopen valve 136 to increase the amount of fluid circulating along coolingcircuit 130 to thereby increase the amount of heat energy exchangedbetween data server 140 and the fluid. Alternatively, if control system170 determines that there is a decrease in temperature (or power demand)based on data received from sensor 175, control system 170 can closevalve 136 to divert the fluid circulating along cooling circuit 130 toconduit 120 to thereby decrease the amount of heat energy exchangedbetween data server 140 and the fluid. The operation of valve 136 iscontrolled by sending a control signal from control system 170 to valve136.

Referring to FIG. 2, in another embodiment, heat transfer device 135 isa heat pipe in thermal communication with data server 140. In oneembodiment, control system 170 is configured to adjust a thermalconductivity of the heat pipe to thereby control an amount of heatenergy exchanged between data server 140 and the fluid circulating alongcooling circuit 130. For example, if control system 170 determines thatthere is an increase in temperature (or power demand) based on datareceived from sensors 175, control system 170 can increase the thermalconductivity of the heat pipe to increase the amount of heat energyexchanged between data server 140 and the fluid circulating along theheat pipe of cooling circuit 130. In one embodiment, the heat pipe maybe a variable conductance heat pipe such that the effective thermalconductivity may be varied as desired (e.g., by varying the amount of anon-condensable buffer gas within the heat pipe).

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, cooling circuit 130includes heat transfer device 135 and pump 133 disposed along coolingcircuit 130. Pump 133 is configured to circulate a secondary fluid(i.e., a second fluid, an intermediate fluid, etc.) along coolingcircuit 130. The secondary fluid is configured to absorb/receive atleast a portion of the heat energy generated by data server 140 (e.g.,via conduction, via heat transfer device, etc.). Heat transfer device135 is configured to facilitate heat energy exchange between thesecondary fluid and the fluid (i.e., a first fluid) circulating alongconduit 120.

In the embodiment shown, power supply system 100 also includes valve 136disposed along conduit 120 upstream from heat transfer device 135. Inthis embodiment, control system 170 is configured to control operationof valve 136 to thereby control the amount of heat energy transferredbetween data server 140 and the fluid circulating along conduit 120. Forexample, if control system 170 determines that there is an increase intemperature (or power demand) based on data received from sensor 175,control system 170 can open valve 136 to increase the amount of fluidcirculating along conduit 120 toward heat transfer device 135 to therebyincrease the amount of heat energy exchanged between data server 140 andthe fluid (e.g., through the secondary fluid). Alternatively, if controlsystem 170 determines that there is a decrease in temperature (or powerdemand) based on data received from sensor 175, control system 170 canclose valve 136 to divert the fluid circulating along conduit 120 tobypass heat transfer device 135 and thereby decrease the amount of heatenergy exchanged between data server 140 and the fluid. The operation ofvalve 136 is controlled by sending a control signal from control system170 to valve 136.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4, control system 170 may beconfigured to adjust an amount of fluid circulating within conduit 120and travelling through or past cooling circuit 130 to thereby controlthe amount of heat energy exchanged between data server 140 and thefluid. For example, if control system 170 determines that there is anincrease in temperature (or power demand) based on data received fromsensors 175, control system 170 can increase the amount of fluidcirculating along conduit 120 past or through cooling circuit 130 toincrease the amount of heat energy exchanged between data server 140 andthe fluid. The amount of the fluid can be adjusted by sending a controlsignal from control system 170 to a valve, such as valve 136, disposedalong conduit 120.

Referring to FIG. 5, control system 170 is shown according to oneembodiment. Control system 170 includes a processor shown as centralprocessing unit 171. Control system 170 also includes memory 172configured to store data relating to power supply system 100 (e.g.,temperature data, power demand data, power delivery rate data, etc.). Asshown in FIG. 5 and as described above, central processing unit 171 isconfigured to receive data from sensors 175. In one embodiment, centralprocessing unit 171 is configured to control an amount of heat energytransferred from data servers 140 to fluid being circulated in coolingcircuit 130 based on the data received from sensors 175. The dataobtained by sensors 175 can include a temperature of data servers 140, atemperature or a temperature rise/change of the fluid, a power demand orusage level of data servers 140, and/or a power delivery rate forelectrochemical power generators 110. The various data obtained bysensors 175 can be stored in memory 172 for later use and/or analysis.

In another embodiment, central processing unit 171 is configured tocontrol an amount of power generated by electrochemical power generators110 based on power demand data for data servers 140. Central processingunit 171 can also be configured to control an amount of heat energytransferred to fluid being circulated in or past cooling circuit 130from data servers 140. As described above, central processing unit 171is configured to control the amount of heat energy transferred from dataservers 140 in various ways. In one embodiment, central processing unitis configured to operate pump 125 (shown in FIG. 1) and/or pump 133(shown in FIGS. 2 and 4) to control the amount of heat energytransferred from data servers 140 based on data obtained from sensors175. In another embodiment, central processing unit 171 is configured tooperate pump 125 to control the amount of electrical energy generated byelectrochemical power generators 110. In another embodiment, centralprocessing unit 171 is configured to adjust a position of heat transferdevice 135 to control the amount of heat energy transferred from dataservers 140. In another embodiment, central processing unit 171 isconfigured to control operation of valve 136 to control the amount ofheat energy transferred from data servers 140. In this manner, controlsystem 170 can actively control an amount of heat energy transferredfrom data servers 140 and an amount of power generated byelectrochemical power generators 110 based on real-time data obtained bysensors 175.

As shown in FIG. 5, control system 170 also includes a connection toelectrical grid 180 to receive electrical power to perform variousoperations. In one embodiment, central processing unit 171 is configuredto receive electrical power from grid 180 and to regenerateelectrochemical by-products into liquid reactants at tank 150 (labeledas REGEN in FIG. 5). Control system 170 also includes I/O port 173 forsending and receiving various control signals to and from control system170 (e.g., electronic signals, audio signals, visual signals, alerts,etc.).

In the various embodiments described herein, central processing unit 171may be implemented as a general-purpose processor, an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gatearrays (FPGAs), a digital-signal-processor (DSP), a group of processingcomponents, or other suitable electronic processing components. Memory172 is one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash Memory, hard diskstorage, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for facilitatingthe various processes described herein. Memory 172 may be or includenon-transient volatile memory or non-volatile memory. Memory 172 mayinclude database components, object code components, script components,or any other type of information structure for supporting the variousactivities and information structures described herein. Memory 172 maybe communicably connected to central processing unit 171 and providecomputer code or instructions to central processing unit 171 forexecuting the processes described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9, various methods for controlling/managing powersupply system 100 are shown according to various embodiments. Accordingto one embodiment shown in FIG. 6, method 600 includes circulating afluid in cooling circuit 130 (610). Method 600 further includesexchanging heat energy between data servers 140 and the fluidcirculating in cooling circuit 130 (620). The fluid is transferred fromcooling circuit 130 to electrochemical power generators 110 (630). Thefluid is reacted in electrochemical power generators 110 to generateelectrical energy for use by data servers 140 (640). As a result of theelectrochemical reaction in electrochemical power generators 110, aby-product fluid is created. The by-product fluid is regenerated into areactant fluid in tank 150 using electrical energy from grid 180 (650).The regenerated fluid is transferred to tank 160 for storage and reusein power supply system 100 (660).

Referring to FIG. 7, method 700 is shown for controlling the amount ofheat energy transferred from data servers 140 and for controlling theamount of electrical energy generated by electrochemical powergenerators 110, according to one embodiment. As shown, sensors 175obtain data regarding data servers 140 (710). In one embodiment, thedata is a temperature of data servers 140. In another embodiment, thedata is a power demand of data servers 140. In another embodiment, thedata is a power delivery rate of electrochemical power generators 110.Method 700 further includes transmitting the data obtained from sensors175 to control system 170 and, in particular, to central processing unit(CPU) 171 (720). The data is used by central processing unit 171 both tocontrol the amount of heat energy transferred from data servers 140(730) and to control the amount of electrical energy generated byelectrochemical power generators 110 (740).

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 8, method 800 includes determiningwhether a parameter value for data obtained from sensors 175 (i.e.,temperature data, power demand data, power delivery rate data) is aboveor below a threshold value (810). If the parameter value is above thethreshold value stored in control system 170 (e.g., a pre-set orprogrammable value), method 800 includes increasing the amount of heatenergy transferred from data servers 140 to the fluid (820).Alternatively, if the parameter value is below the threshold value,method 800 includes decreasing the amount of heat energy transferredfrom data servers 140 to the fluid (830).

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the data obtained by sensors 175is used to control the amount of electrical energy (i.e., power)generated by electrochemical power generators 110. As shown in FIG. 9,method 900 includes determining (using central processing unit 171)whether a parameter value obtained by sensors 175 is above or below athreshold value (e.g., a power demand, a power delivery rate) (910). Ifthe parameter value is above a threshold value stored in control system170 (e.g., a pre-set or programmable value), then method 900 includessending a control signal for increasing the amount of electrical energygenerated by electrochemical power generators 110 (920). Alternatively,if the parameter value is below a threshold value, then method 900includes sending a control signal for decreasing the amount ofelectrical energy generated by electrochemical power generators 110(930).

The amount of heat energy transferred from data servers 140 may becontrolled in various ways, as described above with reference to FIGS.1-4. For example, referring to FIG. 10, method 100 is shown inaccordance with power supply system 100 of FIG. 2, according to oneembodiment. Method 100 includes receiving data from sensors 175 (110).Method 100 further includes sending a control signal for adjusting anarea of contact between a fluid flowing along conduit 120 and heattransfer device 135 to control the amount of heat energy transferredfrom data servers 140 based on the data (120). In one embodiment, heattransfer device 135 is a heat exchanger (e.g., a liquid-to-liquid heatexchanger, an air-to-liquid heat exchanger, etc.). In anotherembodiment, heat transfer device 135 is a heat pipe (e.g., a variableconductance heat pipe, etc.). In other embodiments, heat transfer device135 is another type of heat transfer device suitable for receiving heatenergy from data servers 140.

Referring to FIG. 11, method 101 is shown in accordance with powersupply system 100 of FIG. 2, according to one embodiment. Method 101includes receiving data from sensors 175 (110). Method 101 furtherincludes sending a control signal for adjusting a flow rate of asecondary fluid circulating along cooling circuit 130 based on the dataobtained by sensor 175 (121). In one embodiment, the flow rate of thesecondary fluid is adjusted by sending a control signal from controlsystem 170 to pump 133 disposed along cooling circuit 130.

Referring to FIG. 12, method 102 is shown in accordance with powersupply system 100 of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment. Method 102includes receiving data from sensors 175 (112). Method 102 furtherincludes sending a control signal for controlling (i.e., opening orclosing) valve 136 to increase the amount of fluid circulating alongcooling circuit 130 to thereby increase the amount of heat energyexchanged between data server 140 and the fluid based on the data (122).In one embodiment, operation of valve 136 is controlled by sending acontrol signal from control system 170 directly to valve 136.

In another embodiment, in accordance with power supply system 100 ofFIG. 4, method 102 includes sending a control signal for controlling(e.g., opening or closing) valve 136 to increase the amount of fluidcirculating along conduit 120 to thereby increase the amount of heatenergy exchanged between data server 140 and the fluid. Operation ofvalve 136 is controlled by sending a control signal from control system170 directly to valve 136.

Referring to FIG. 13, method 103 is shown in accordance with powersupply system 100 of FIG. 2, according to one embodiment. Method 103includes receiving data from sensors 175 (113). Method 103 furtherincludes sending a control signal for adjusting a thermal conductivityof heat transfer device 135 (where heat transfer device 135 is a heatpipe) to thereby control an amount of heat energy exchanged between dataserver 140 and fluid circulating along cooling circuit 130 based on thedata (123).

Referring to FIG. 14, method 104 is shown in accordance with powersupply system 100 of FIGS. 2 and 4, according to one embodiment. Method104 includes circulating a secondary fluid (i.e., a second fluid, anintermediate fluid, etc.) along cooling circuit 130 (114). Method 104further includes absorbing/receiving heat energy from data server 140into the secondary fluid using conduction (124).

Referring to FIG. 15, method 105 is shown in accordance with powersupply system 100 of FIGS. 1 and 4, according to one embodiment. Method105 includes circulating a secondary fluid (i.e., a second fluid, anintermediate fluid, etc.) along cooling circuit 130 and across dataservers 140 (115). Method 105 further includes absorbing/receiving heatenergy from data servers 140 into the secondary fluid (125). Heattransfer device 135 exchanges heat energy between the secondary fluidcirculating in cooling circuit 130 and the fluid (i.e., a first fluid)flowing along conduit 120 toward electrochemical power generator 110(135).

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems, and programproducts on any machine-readable media for accomplishing variousoperations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implementedusing existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computerprocessor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or anotherpurpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure include program products comprising machine-readablemedia for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or datastructures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example,such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROMor other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or storedesired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions ordata structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Wheninformation is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combinationof hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views theconnection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection isproperly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above arealso included within the scope of machine-readable media.Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function orgroup of functions.

Although the figures may show a specific order of method steps, theorder of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or moresteps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Suchvariation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and ondesigner choice. All such variations are within the scope of thedisclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplishedwith standard programming techniques with rule based logic and otherlogic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps,comparison steps and decision steps.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power supply system for a data center,comprising: an electrochemical power generator configured to generate afluid by-product and to generate electrical energy for a server in thedata center; and a cooling circuit configured to: receive the fluidby-product from the electrochemical power generator, circulate the fluidby-product within the cooling circuit, and exchange heat energy betweenthe server and the fluid by-product such that at least a portion of heatenergy generated by the server is absorbed by the fluid by-product. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein the cooling circuit includes a heattransfer device configured to exchange heat energy between the serverand the fluid by-product using conduction.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the cooling circuit includes a heat pipe configured to exchangeheat energy between the server and the fluid by-product.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein the fluid by-product in the cooling circuit isreceived by a storage tank.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprisinga regeneration system configured to regenerate the fluid by-product intoa reactant using electricity received from a power source.
 6. The systemof claim 5, wherein the regeneration system is further configured todeliver the reactant to one or more electrochemical power generators inthe data center.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrochemicalpower generator is a flow battery.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein theelectrochemical power generator is a fuel cell.
 9. A power supply systemfor a data center, comprising: an electrochemical power generatorconfigured to generate a by-product as part of an electrochemicalreaction and to generate electrical energy for a server in the datacenter; and a cooling circuit coupled to the electrochemical powergenerator and configured to: circulate the by-product within the coolingcircuit, and exchange heat energy between the server and the by-productsuch that at least a portion of heat energy generated by the server isabsorbed by the by-product.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein thecooling circuit includes a heat transfer device configured to exchangeheat energy between the server and the by-product using conduction. 11.The system of claim 9, wherein the cooling circuit includes a heat pipeconfigured to exchange heat energy between the server and theby-product.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the by-product in thecooling circuit is received by a storage tank.
 13. The system of claim9, further comprising a regeneration system configured to regenerate theby-product into a reactant using electricity received from a powersource.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the regeneration system isfurther configured to deliver the reactant to a storage tank for reuseby the electrochemical power generator.
 15. The system of claim 9,wherein the by-product is a fluid by-product, and wherein the fluidby-product is contained and transported within a carrier fluid.
 16. Apower supply system for a data center, comprising: an electrochemicalpower generator configured to generate a fluid by-product as part of anelectrochemical reaction occurring in the electrochemical powergenerator for generating electrical energy for a server in the datacenter; and a cooling circuit fluidly coupled to the electrochemicalpower generator and configured to: circulate the fluid by-product in thecooling circuit, and exchange heat energy between the server and thefluid by-product.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the fluidby-product in the cooling circuit is received by a storage tank.
 18. Thesystem of claim 16, further comprising a regeneration system configuredto regenerate the fluid by-product into a reactant using electricityreceived from a power source.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein theregeneration system is further configured to deliver the reactant to astorage tank for reuse by the electrochemical power generator.
 20. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the cooling circuit includes a heat transferdevice configured to exchange heat energy between the server and thefluid by-product.